With the December figure, Lancaster County remained in a prolonged period of stable unemployment. The local rate now has lingered from 3.0 percent to 4.0 percent for 25 straight months, according to LNP records.

Still, while staying inside that narrow range, the county rate made modest progress over the prior year, this week’s report shows.

Compared to December 2017, the latest rate is 0.4 percentage points lower. That's because the county had 900 fewer residents who were unemployed but actively seeking work.